Cozy, cool ambience and delicious cocktails. The bartenders have a wealth of knowledge in their craft and can make something for even the pickiest of drinkers. Make a reservation or enjoy the standing bar space, as walk-in seating is limited, especially on the weekends. read more

Idlewild - Strawberry Martini -bartenders recipe - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I saw this place advertised on TV & wanted to check it out the next time we were in Charlotte! My husband was hesitate, but the was so glad we did! Make sure to make reservations if you want to come because it is very busy! We were lucky to go early enough where we got served in the waiting room. The bartender was really awesome & spot on with our drinks! This is a perfect place for those like me who are only social drinkers and not clear on what to order. I am not a drinker so not sure what kind of liquor I like, I just know I love sweet drinks! He made me 2 drinks that were right on the money with what I like! One was a Janet and the other was a margarita made in a small glass that tasted like a delicious grapefruity drink! My husband is an old fashioned guy and when we travel, he loves to try it everywhere to see what he likes best. The bartender made him 2 different types that were very good! We also decided to get a snack and got the ala carte chorizo, with bread, fig jam, & a cheese. I can't remember what the bread and which cheese we got but it was all perfectly paired with our drinks. We are fans and would love to return again if we are in the area. Thanks for making it a fun cool night! read more

Fantastic atmosphere, but genuinely incredible drinks. No menu here - you order what you're in the mood for generally and the bartender creates magic for you. Had two drinks and both were absolutely delicious! Would recommend to anyone in the Charlotte area. read more

Idlewild - Tropical Popsicle - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Awesome speakeasy Great place for fancy cocktails Great place for date night definitely No cocktail menu, just tell the bartender what you feel like and magic will happen! read more

Idlewild - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

We came on a Sunday and were seated immediately at the bar. The bartender was nice and informative. He explained there isn't a bar menu, you just tell them what your mood is and the types of drinks you normally drink and they make you something. We ended up getting 2 drinks and both were different and tasty! I loved the experience, each bartender was attentive. And it's a pretty cozy place. Great for a date night. No food though. read more

Idlewild - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

A bar after my own heart! Dark, sensual and craft cocktails. Close by the rail tracks- this bar sits in a plaza and isn't hard to find. But I'd love to lose myself here. We sat down and spoke to the server who simply asked for our desired flavors- I was stunned. I was in love! She asked for flavors and off she went, but my favorite part- my friend and I asked for similar flavor profiles and she came back with two different drinks. Absolutely delicious- both of them. We asked for st germain- elderflower essentially, lemon, lavender, gin. My drink was beautiful, I could have sat at this bar all night if it wasn't for my ambitious friends who wanted to keep moving. A great experience. read more

Idlewild - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I went here with a group of 7 people on a Tuesday with an empty venue. They have a 6 person rule per party which I get due to the small size. HOWEVER we were not even allowed to have the 7th person stand in our group near the seating area for 6 people. Also a curtain separates this strict establishment from the awesome dive bar vibe next door who also shares bathrooms with the up tight venue. Absolutely ridiculous and drinks are not worth the price with their attitude that they are "exclusive" however, it isn't, because you share CURTAINS with a dive bar. Which is way more accommodating and has good cheaper drinks. So many better venues just avoid it. read more

This is my first time at this location and it did not disappoint. Highly recommend making a reservation because this place is usually slammed. We got lucky and only waited a few minutes before immediately attended. We chose to stand at the standing bar at the right side of the bar which has one bartender to the whole group. These bartenders have extensive knowledge of pretty much any drink that you can think of. We gave our bartender the type of drinks that we like and what our go to drinks were and some key ingredients if we knew what they were and they'll know exactly what to make for you. We only came for one but honestly the service, ambiance, and ESPECIALLY the drinks were sooo good that we ended up staying for a few more. Some of our group members really liked their drink so they ordered the same and other folks got similar drinks yet different. Our bartender was really well equipped and was sharp on his craft. Highly recommend coming here for unique and quality drinks. read more

Very unique drink spot!! You tell the wait staff what you are in the mood for and they surprise you with something off the menu. Very mood vibes inside read more

Idlewild - Drinks! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I usually love idlewild, but our experience with Vince and team tonight was not ideal. We had a party larger than 6, which is the party max but the attitude from Vince was unnecessary and unprofessional. We made two separate reservations and they put our parties on opposite sides of the bar. We had 8 people and asked if we could make an accommodation to include our extra two, whether that meant standing at the bar or on the couch where we had plenty of room and they literally refused. Our waitress Kennedy even ignored my question about if our extra two could stand at the bar. She said they don't allow it when we can see people standing at the bar. After we asked for accommodations, Vince even told us to go their sister bar next door. Overall it was a very upsetting experience read more

Came by here on a Thursday evening with 3 friends and absolutely enjoyed my time! We were greeted and seated immediately in a super cute corner nook table with comfy seating. The ambiance and vibes are extremely high in this establishment and I genuinely enjoyed it here. The concept is dope because there is no menu. You tell your server what style drink you like and are in the mood for and they curate a cocktail for you on the spot, essentially! I wish I remembered what my actual drink was called because I absolutely loved it! I told our super nice server I was a bourbon gal, very spirit forward, didn't like sweet drinks and typically drink it straight. She came back with an excellent choice that I really liked! We sat and talked for maybe 90 mins and just enjoyed the environment so much. I told my boyfriend we HAVE to go back for a chill date night. Highly recommend. My one drawback is that the bathrooms are unisex, I guess. Like there are 2 bathrooms with 2 stalls inside each, I believe, I only went inside one. It was awkward waiting in line with multiple guys. Once one became available I walked in a locked the door thinking it was a single bathroom, I realized it wasn't but I kept the door locked because I genuinely didn't feel comfortable using the bathroom with strange men. I get it....but as a woman it's super uncomfortable. Next time I will have my friends or boyfriend just come with me to the bathroom. We also parked in the garage and paid about $8. Not too bad. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Tuesday at 10pm You have to know a local to hear of such a place . The concept is a speakeasy bar , word of mouth . They have great bartenders passionate about their craft , name your favorite liquor and leave it to them . I know it's hard to put one's trust but this is one of the few places I would . Nice ambiance, never would have found this place on my own . I'll return read more

What a great little cocktail bar. The ambiance is romantic, hip, and great for a romantic date or night out with friends. The night we came, they had just moved out of the space where the Good Bad and the Ugly now reside and reopened in Fairweather's space. They were swamped, so we started drinking at the bar of Figo 36, where we had appetizers. We had to wait over an hour for our two seats at the bar only to discover that they weren't serving food, which I hope has changed by now. Thankfully, we had the appetizers, so we weren't pressed for food, though it would've been nice. The bartender was stoic, and they didn't have a menu at the time. So he asked what you liked and made something based on your preferences. For all his stoicism, he made a damn good cocktail, and I found myself throwing back what he called "Vinny's Margaritas" all night. It was a great experience despite the obstacles, and even though I live close by, I have yet to make it back, but I hope to soon. read more

Idlewild - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Here we are, wanting an expertly-made cocktail, why can't you read my mind, bartender? Oh, but they can! There's no menu, just savvy servers that communicate your desires in an alcoholic beverage (or mocktail) to an equally savvy bartender. For me, it's easier to say "I hate tequila" because, frankly, I kind of love it all (except for tequila. And whiskey. And scotch. No egg whites either, please). I was presented with a lovely slightly sweet, slightly sour gin beauty garnished with herbs. Quite delicious. Ambiance is just like I like it: very dark, spacious with artfully arranged seating that allows for intimacy while not feeling crowded and good acoustics. Soaring ceilings. I don't love the bathroom situation (unisex with stalls? no thank you). But sometimes you can't have it all. I still love Idlewild regardless. read more

Uhhh where do I start?? I had such a wonderful experience at this bar, and I'd like to give a special shoutout to our amazing mixologists, Jacob! My boyfriend and I booked an earlier reservation to avoid parking issues, and everything worked out perfectly. When we walked in, the bar had a darker, intimate vibe that we actually really enjoyed but idk if that's everyone's kinda vibe, it added to the ambiance in a nice way. From the moment we sat down, Jacob made us feel welcome with his great sense of humor and friendly demeanor. The music was at just the right volume, and Jacob suggested some fantastic drinks for us to try. The bar doesn't have a menu, but they are incredibly knowledgeable here. He nailed every drink we described, and my personal favorite was the Salted Vanilla Dominicana. Each drink felt crafted to perfection, and we couldn't have been happier as we watched them behind the bar doing their magic. We ended up enjoying four cocktails, which came to about $70 before tip--$17 per drink may be a bit pricey for some, but the quality, atmosphere, and service made it worth every penny. All in all, we spent under $100 for an unforgettable night. We'll definitely be back soon && thank you, Jacob, for making our night so special! read more

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Head's up - they just moved from the old location and are where the Fairweather used to be(right next door), so now they have double the amount of tables (went from 6 to 12). A reservation is highly recommended, especially on the weekends. They do have a same-day waitlist that you can get on and they'll call you if there's an available table or bar seating. This is my favorite craft cocktail place in Charlotte. I've never had a bad cocktail. You just tell the bartenders your flavor pallet and they will make a drink based on your taste. I absolutely loved the expat Ricky and the lions tail. Two of the best bourbon-based cocktails I've had yet. If you're a craft cocktail lover and are looking for an intimate place to go for a date night - this is the one! You really can't go wrong! Jacob is a wonderful mixologist! read more

Idlewild - Lion's tail (left) and expat Ricky (right) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Fantastic spot with a wonderful staff. I gave them my usual drink order and they returned with an upgraded version of it. Will be returning!

This place was so dope!!! Shout out my friend for curating this experience for me. You know the place is dope when you don't particularly like your drink but still feel compelled to drop 5 stars. Let's talk atmosphere. It was dimly lit but in an intimate way. The seats were super comfy and swaggy. It was very modern but chic. The introduction and explanation as to how the place works had me on board from the beginning. So basically you describe what you like and the bartender makes you a drink to match your preferences. Now I said I didn't really like mixed drinks and my drink was super spirit forward l, it just didn't hit for me. No biggie, the bartender adjusted quickly and my next drink was a shot of very smooth whiskey. Overall, I loved this place. I want to go back and take shots. This is a must try if you're in the area. read more

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A really good experience. Was invited by a colleague who knew of this unique space. There is no food served and the server brings you a delightful and amazing drink based on your general preferences. We were not disappointed by any of the selections we received - quite amazed actually! What a delightful experience. read more

I'm not sure why it took me so long to check this place out. The atmosphere matches the vibe of the place giving you options to sit at the bar (highly recommend) or get a table. The bartenders are so gifted and very friendly. I didn't try the food but I loved the cocktails that were made for me. read more

Such a cool and unique place for cocktails. I recommend making a reservation because it's a pretty small place. There isn't a menu so you just tell them what you're in the mood for and they make a cool drink! Service was really great. They kept checking on us and refilling our waters. For my first drink, I asked for something dessert-y and he made a domenicana. It's like an espresso martini but with rum. It was amazing!! For my second drink, I asked for something with chocolate and he made a brandy alexander which had brandy and crème de cacao. It was really strong and tasted very Christmasy. I loved it! It was fun to see what they were going to bring out based on our requests. I also enjoyed trying everyone else's drinks! My cousin had a cafe con leche drink and it was amazing!! The presentation was also really cool for all the drinks! read more

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I love the low lit lighting. It gave a very intimate vibe. The cocktails were super good as well. I will say. You must know why you are going to get the full experience. read more

One word. Bad. Bad food, bad ambience. Bad service. Bad location. If you value your palate, and dignity, avoid this place at all costs.

Hands down the best cocktail experience EVER!!!! All you have to do is tell them what you like and your vibe and they will create the perfect drink that blows your imagination!!!! read more

My new favorite spot in CLT, good vibes and drinks, service is great, bartender recommended a drink called "tiger crush" best drink i ever had in my life. read more

Thoroughly enjoyed a girls night with a friend here. I was able to find a reservation the day of, but now I see why you really need to. It's very small space. We sat at the bar and bartender shared there's no menu and asked what we liked. We enjoyed watching our drinks being made. Once we were presented our drinks, the bartender shared the ingredients. The bartender checked in that we were satisfied with our drink and kept busy with the other customers. They do offer mocktails. So after a couple cocktails we opted for that and it was just delicious as the cocktail, so I highly recommend. The snacks offered include truffle butter popcorn and a charcuterie board. The popcorn was a very big portion, easy for sharing. The bartender was attentive and nailed our taste preferences. Thoroughly enjoyed each drink! read more

Idlewild - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I really adore the calm space and lighting. It's a classy spot to be for adults. No crazy collage kids or rowdiness. The people working there were polite and to the point. My boyfriend and I did walk-in. They told us which seats were available, and for how long (because there are reservations) and asked if that worked for us. Most importantly (or impacting) we had a really great bartender. He was very nice and asked us about drink preferences and allergies. He'd make us our drinks and then present them and explain the name and how they're made. Really enjoyed learning new cocktails and how he adapted the drinks based off our responses. If you're into gin/bitter, I recommend the Old News cocktail. If you prefer dark liquor/rye I recommend the Rain Delay. read more

This place was so interesting and fun! I've never done anything like this before but the drinks were 10/10! Our servers were very informative and the bartenders SERIOUSLY got talent. I love the vibe the of it all, although it is hard to adjust to the low lighting and louder music, personally but it's still a great atmosphere. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Really nice moody vibe. You can do reservations online or walk in for standing room with seating that becomes available as people come and go. Everyone is super friendly and the drinks are delicious read more

My absolute favorite cocktail bar in Charlotte. I always love the drink they create for me and they are well priced for the quality. It's great for a date night or intimate setting as it's pretty dark inside. Service is 10/10 and bartenders are very knowledgeable. read more

Amazing craft cocktails. You tell the mixologist what type of alcohol and/or the taste you're going for and they make something perfect. I've never been disappointed. It's best to make a reservation, as it can get crowded and waiting can be a hassle at times. But this place is worth the try. read more

This is hands down the best cocktail bar in Charlotte. It's amazing. First, make a reservation... this place is small but stays busy. So book the reservation. This is the perfect place for a date night, it's sexy, dimly lit and intimate. There is no menu here, the server asks what kind of flavors you like and liquor preference and they come up with something uniquely for you. So basically don't come in here with control issues lol The service is always amazing. & I highly recommend this spot. Just know, you're gonna drop some coins. read more

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If you're looking for a new cocktail lounge to hang out at then Idlewild is the place to be! As soon as you walk in, it immediately feels luxe, private, and also cozy at the same time. They don't have any menus as all of the cocktails are custom made based on your preferences. At first I was a bit worried but they killed it every time I ordered a new drink! Everyone in my party also said the same. We'll definitely be back for sure! read more

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Just like Attaboy in NYC...turns out one of the owners worked there so makes sense. Great cocktails and service! Was passing through for work so I'm not sure if I'll be back but I'd like to if at all possible! Loved the laid back stylish atmosphere and didn't eat there but they gave me a great rec for a local late night spot to eat! Thanks again guys! read more

Idlewild - I don't remember the names of these cocktails but one was better than the next! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Absolutely unbeatable cocktails. Good flavors without skimping on the alcohol. Learned some unique flavor combinations that were absolutely outstanding! Loved the no menu style, and having crafted cocktails based on your preferences! Definitely will come here again when we're in the area! read more

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This was such a cute experience! I enjoyed the dimly lit, sort of sultry ambiance lol. (By nighttime, the place is basically dark!) The "no menu" concept is really cool and is great indication that the bar staff are creative and innovative (and they were!). I asked for a whisky sour type drink and was surprised with the "BerryMore"...super tasty and refreshing! The bar staff was really chill and helpful. I would 100% recommend Idlewild for a night with friends or a cute little intimate date night! read more

Idlewild - "BerryMore" - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This is a small location that definitely requires a reservation to get in, but if you like mixed drinks with an element of surprise, then this is totally worth it. You simply tell the waiter what kind of drink you might be feeling, like spirit-forward or 'something spicy', and they bring you something according to those guidelines. If you don't like it, they can make you something else. Prices are reasonable for everything being customized, and the vibes are dark, classy, and elegant. It's a cool place to take people on a night out, or even to have a little date night. read more

Just perfection!! Great service - our waitress was so knowledgeable about cocktails. We loved the vibe - small, intimate space that was perfect for date night drinks before dinner. read more

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Love this place for the vibe it provides, though I have to suggest that they up their sparkling wine game. I know this is a cocktails place, but for those of us that don't drink cocktails/liquor, I would love if they got a better sparkling wine. Like, I only go there because friends want to go there and I "tolerate' their sparkling wine, but I'd love if I could actually enjoy their sparkling wine (especially for the cost). Like my sis and other friends absolutely love the drinks they get served when they describe what they like (refreshing vs. sweet vs. bitter vs. etc.), cocktail drinks that is. Unfortunately, I don't drink cocktail drinks because it doesn't sit well in my stomach, which is why I turn to sparkling wine. Service is def always friendly though, so I always give it 5 stars for service. Just make sure if you want to be there a specific night, at a specific time, you make a reservation beforehand, because they can fill up fast! read more

Idlewild - Prosecco (blegh), refreshing drink, and old fashioned type drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Came after hearing some friends talking about this "custom cocktail experience." We had our choice of sitting at the bar or a two person table. There are only a couple booths large enough to accommodate parties larger than 2-3 people. Our waitress asked us what we like/don't like, and from there, curated our custom cocktails. I had an old fashioned with a twist, this time made with some Jamaican rum which had a nice malt after taste. My husband a smokey scotch drink. The drinks looked great and presented well. The taste was good, but in the case of my cocktail, I'm not convinced I couldn't replicate this at home. My husbands Smokey cocktail was more unique. Each drink was $14. A reservation is recommended and easy to make on Resy. There is a $10/person cancellation fee if you cancel less than 4 hours in advance of your reservation. You will likely have to pay for parking at this shopping center as well, so definitely try to carpool! read more

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